Built early 1939, shot down and crash-landed on beach near Sangatte, France 26 May 1940. Wreck rediscovered in 1986 and salvaged and wreck displayed in V-3 Museum at La Forteresse de Mimoyecques. To the UK in 2000 for storage and later restoration. Flew again in Mar 2014. Owned by Imperial War Museum and carrying their logo.

Duxford IWM logo above wing.

Four Spitfire Mk1 in flight together, G-AIST, G-CGUK and G-MKIA

Built at Woolston in March 1940 as P9374. Forced landed at Calais 24 May 1940 and sunk into beach sands. Re-emerged in September 1980 and recovered in January 1981. UK registered in 2000. Fuselage under rebuild by Airframe Assemblies Ltd in a yellow jig frame for accurate assembly. The lower panel in the foreground was the only original skin suitable for re-fitment due to extensive salt water corrosion of the remainder. The workmanship at this facility is superb and the historic accuracy is very important to the dedicated team. Each fuselage can take several years to complete. To N92SQ in 2017

Looking much better now then she did back then!

Manufactured by Westland Aircraft Ltd in 1941 and seen at the Battle of Britain Airshow, A&AEE, Boscombe Down in 1990.

Of all the thousands of Spifires produced this one, on display at the RAF Museum, is rather special. In total 1566 Mk.1s were built and this genuine Battle of Britain veteran is the oldest surviving such airframe and, therefore, the oldest Spitfire anywhere!